Second-Half Rally Falls Short in Loss

LMU cut it to a four-point game but BYU pulled away late for a 72-48 final Thursday night.

LOS ANGELES - A second-half rally that saw the Lions climb to within four of visiting BYU, fell short as a cold shooting spell down the stretch allowed the Cougars to pull away in a 72-48 final Thursday at Gersten Pavilion.

The win moved BYU into sole possession of first place in the WCC at 6-1, 17-3 overall, while LMU continues its hunt for a conference victory this season, falling to 4-14 overall and 0-6 in the WCC.

BYU's Kristen Riley led all scorers with 22 points, 17 in the first half alone, to go along with 10 boards. Lexi Eaton was the only other Cougar to reach double-figures, finishing with 16 points.

An old-fashion three-point play by Cowling gave the Lions a 9-7 lead five minutes into the game. But in near déjà vu fashion to the match-up exactly two weeks ago in Provo, BYU proceeded to reel off 17 consecutive points, opening up a 24-9 advantage with 8:35 remaining.

Unlike their last meeting, however, LMU did not let things get out of control as Collishaw's baseline jumper at 7:23 halted the streak. The teams traded baskets the remainder of the half and a Melinda Gomez lay-up with 43 seconds on the clock sent LMU into the locker room down just 11, 31-20.

LMU came quickly out the gates in the second half, cutting the spread to seven less than four minutes in. A pair of crafty assists by freshman Taylor Anderson midway through the period brought the Lions to within four, 41-37. But the Cougars pulled away late, outscoring LMU 31-9 in the final 9:25.